MBA 2022, UK
“Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” Rumi
I am a Senior Sales Manager at one of the largest privately-owned steel stockholders in the UK. We are based in Canterbury and a principal employer in Kent. The business has a turnover of over £100million and I have P&L responsibility for roughly 40% of the income stream through my team. The business itself presents several challenges that are strongly linked to volatile fluctuations in both commodity prices and logistics, as well as the cyclical nature of the construction and manufacturing sector. These challenges present opportunities for development and improvement, directly contributing towards the sustainability and profitability of the business.
Achievements
- Increased company turnover by over £30million within a12-month period
- Effectively navigated the business during the pandemic amidst a challenging market and changing employee conditions to minimise impact on sales and ensure business continuity
- Successfully established the new Kent Depot and turned the site to profitability within the second year of trading
What attracted you to the MBA programme at Kent Business School and why?
The MBA course at the University of Kent has been highly recommended to me by graduates of this course who have followed similar paths to myself. The programme focuses on leadership, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, which are the three areas that I am most interested in developing. The structure of the programme and the location of the facilities will provide me with the flexibility I need to continue my education while remaining employed.
Aspiration
Completing the MBA programme will allow me to continue to grow within a company that I respect. My goal is to eventually head the commercial operations of ParkerSteel, with a view towards managing the commercial side of all UK divisions in the future. I aspire to become an effective and responsible leader that is equipped to deal with and adapt to the challenges of running a multifaceted, growing, and successful business. I believe that the Kent Business School MBA will not only help me to achieve this but give me the skills and confidence to excel at it.
Advice
Surround yourself with talented, experienced colleagues and never be afraid to be challenged.